If you want an open-ear design that keeps you aware of your surroundings, choose Monster Open Ear AC317; if you need in-ear earbuds with active noise cancellation and a neckband, choose MOCANIO Neckband. For a call center, I’d lean toward MOCANIO if blocking some background noise and switching between a phone and laptop matter most.
Monster Open Ear AC317 vs MOCANIO Neckband at a Glance
• Monster Open Ear AC317: Open-ear hook design, Bluetooth 5.4, and up to 24 hours with the charging case; trade-off: it has no noise control, so nearby sound remains part of your listening environment.
• MOCANIO Neckband: In-ear earbuds, hybrid active noise cancellation, and up to 24 hours of playback; trade-off: the earbuds sit in your ears, and the neckband is part of the design.
• Monster is for listeners who want to hear surroundings while wearing earbuds and prefer touch controls.
• MOCANIO is for listeners who want a more isolating fit, a retractable earbud setup, and simultaneous connection to two devices.
The Monster Open Ear AC317 is built around a hook-style open-ear fit. Its earbuds do not insert into the ear canal, and the flexible ear hooks are designed to hold them in place. That makes it a reasonable choice for someone who wants audio while remaining more aware of activity around them. The listed audio features include a digital audio processor and drivers intended to emphasize mid and high frequencies.
For calls, Monster lists AI noise reduction and hands-free calling. Bluetooth 5.4 supports its wireless connection, and touch controls cover music, volume, calls, and voice assistant access. The stated playback is seven hours per charge and up to 24 hours with the case. The case uses Type-C charging; the feature description says a full charge takes an hour, while another product detail lists two hours, so I would not treat the exact case-charging time as settled.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
This is the more natural fit for someone who dislikes in-ear earbuds or wants to keep environmental sounds audible. Skip it if you specifically want active noise cancellation: its listed noise control is none. It is also worth noting that an open fit does not create the same physical seal as an in-ear design, so it is not the pick for someone whose first priority is shutting out nearby office noise.
MOCANIO takes the opposite approach. Its earbuds sit in the ear, with an auto-retractable mechanism that pulls the earbuds back toward the neckband when they are not in use. The band gives the earbuds a place to rest between calls or listening sessions, while the retracting feature is intended to keep the wires organized. The product lists hybrid active noise cancellation for listening and CVC 8.0 noise cancellation for calls.
For a call center setup, the standout practical feature is multi-point connection: MOCANIO says it can connect to two devices at once, such as a phone and laptop. That could suit someone who moves between work calls and phone notifications without wanting to reconnect each time. Its built-in HD microphone is listed for hands-free calling, and the battery is specified for up to 24 hours. A 15-minute quick charge is listed as providing up to three hours of music.
The trade-off is the fit. These are in-ear earbuds, not open-ear hooks, so they are better suited to listeners who want a more enclosed listening experience than those who prefer to keep their ears open. MOCANIO also lists Bluetooth 5.1, rather than Monster’s 5.4. Its IPX7 water-resistance claim and sports-focused design may appeal beyond desk work, but the neckband itself is a feature to consider if you prefer a completely separate earbud style.
• Best for keeping your ears open → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its earbuds do not enter the ear canal, and the design is intended to preserve awareness of your surroundings.
• Best for active noise cancellation → MOCANIO Neckband. Its listed hybrid ANC is designed to reduce ambient sound while listening; Monster lists no noise control.
• Best for a call-center setup with two devices → MOCANIO Neckband. Its multi-point connection supports simultaneous links to two devices, such as a laptop and phone.
• Best for touch-based controls → Monster Open Ear AC317. Touch controls are listed for music, volume, calls, and voice assistant access.
• Best for quick battery top-ups → MOCANIO Neckband. Its listed 15-minute charge provides up to three hours of music. Monster’s charging case has a Type-C connection, but the provided charging-time details differ.
• Best for a hook-style fit rather than in-ear tips → Monster Open Ear AC317. Its flexible hooks are designed to sit around the ears; MOCANIO uses in-ear earbuds with multiple ear-tip options.
• Best for sports-oriented water resistance → MOCANIO Neckband. It lists an IPX7 rating, while Monster’s product description lists IPX6 sweat and water resistance.
• Best for a retractable earbud setup → MOCANIO Neckband. Its mechanism draws the earbuds back toward the neckband when they are not in use.
My Verdict
I would choose MOCANIO Neckband for a call center if my priority were a more enclosed fit, active noise cancellation, and a connection to both a laptop and phone.
That combination is more directly aligned with a work setup where calls and surrounding noise compete for attention.
I would choose Monster instead if keeping my ears open mattered more than blocking environmental sound.
For me, the MOCANIO features make it the more practical call-center pick, while Monster offers the clearer choice for open-ear listening.
MOCANIO lists hybrid ANC, CVC 8.0 call noise cancellation, a built-in microphone, and simultaneous connection to two devices. Monster lists AI noise reduction for calls, but no noise control for listening. Which suits you better depends on whether you prioritize an in-ear fit and noise reduction or open-ear awareness.
Both products list up to 24 hours, but the descriptions measure that differently. Monster specifies seven hours per charge plus additional playback from its charging case. MOCANIO lists 24 hours of playback and a 15-minute quick charge that provides up to three hours of music.
Does either model block office noise?
Monster is the more suitable option to consider. Its open-ear earbuds are designed not to insert into the ear canal, while MOCANIO uses in-ear earbuds with ear tips.
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